Twin Cities Metro

Best for: People who want the largest selection of jobs, housing, restaurants, entertainment and suburban communities.

Mention:

• Minneapolis

• St. Paul

• Western suburbs

• Eastern suburbs

• Northern suburbs

• Southern suburbs

Rochester

Best for: Healthcare professionals, people who prefer a smaller city and those who want a strong community outside the Twin Cities.

Duluth

Best for: People who prioritize outdoor recreation, Lake Superior and a smaller-city lifestyle.

St. Cloud

Best for: People who want a more affordable smaller-city environment while still having access to the Twin Cities.

Greater Minnesota

Best for: People who prioritize smaller communities, more space, lower housing costs in some markets and a slower pace of life.

Where Should I Live in the Twin Cities?

The Twin Cities metro is made up of dozens of communities, and choosing between them can be difficult if you're moving from another state. Two suburbs that look relatively close together on a map can have very different housing markets, commute patterns, schools, amenities and overall lifestyles.

West Metro

Maple Grove
Great for people who want a large suburban community with extensive shopping, restaurants, parks and newer housing options.

Plymouth
A strong option for people who want a suburban environment with access to Minneapolis and a wide variety of housing.

Minnetonka
A great choice for people prioritizing lakes, established neighborhoods and proximity to western Twin Cities amenities.

Eden Prairie
Popular with people who want a highly developed suburb with major employment centers, parks and convenient access to the southwest metro.

Wayzata
A higher-end option centered around Lake Minnetonka, with a walkable downtown and luxury housing.

South Metro

Lakeville
A popular choice for buyers looking for a larger suburban community south of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Eagan
Great for people who want convenient access to Minneapolis, St. Paul and the airport.

Prior Lake
A good option for people who prioritize lakes, outdoor recreation and suburban living.

Savage
A growing suburban community with access to the southwest metro.

East Metro

Woodbury
A popular choice for people who want a newer suburban environment, shopping, parks and access to St. Paul and the eastern metro.

Stillwater
Great for people who want a more historic small-town feel while remaining within the broader Twin Cities region.

Oakdale
A convenient option for people who want access to St. Paul and surrounding eastern suburbs.

White Bear Lake
A good fit for people who want a community with lake access and a more established suburban feel.

Which Minnesota Community Is Right for You?

If you want...

A suburban lifestyle close to Minneapolis:
Maple Grove, Plymouth, St. Louis Park

Luxury homes and lakes:
Wayzata, Minnetonka, Lake Minnetonka area

A family-oriented suburban environment:
Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Lakeville, Woodbury

Easy airport access:
Eagan, Bloomington, Edina, Minneapolis

A smaller-town feel near the Twin Cities:
Stillwater

An urban lifestyle:
Minneapolis or St. Paul

Newer suburban development:
Rogers, Dayton, Lakeville, Woodbury and other growing communities

Lake lifestyle:
Minnetonka, Prior Lake, White Bear Lake, Stillwater

North Metro

Anoka — A historic community with small-town character, parks, recreation and convenient access to both Minneapolis and the northern suburbs.

Coon Rapids — A large, established suburb with a variety of housing options, parks, shopping and recreation, making it a popular choice for families.

Blaine — A growing suburban community with plenty of shopping, restaurants, recreation and housing options, including newer construction.

Andover — A quieter community known for larger lots, more space and a suburban or semi-rural feel while still being connected to the Twin Cities.

Forest Lake — A lake-focused community that appeals to buyers who want more space, outdoor recreation and easy access to boating and other lake activities.

How Do I Choose Where to Live in Minnesota?

Start with your lifestyle and daily routine—not the house. Before choosing a community, consider where you'll work, how much time you're willing to spend commuting, your home-buying budget, preferred housing type, schools if applicable, access to restaurants and shopping, outdoor recreation, and whether you prefer an urban, suburban or small-town environment.

If you're relocating from another state, I recommend narrowing down communities before you start seriously looking at individual homes. A house can look perfect online, but the community may not be the right fit for your everyday life.

How I Help You Choose Where to Live

You don't have to know Minnesota before you move here. That's where I come in.

When I work with someone relocating to Minnesota, we start by understanding what they want their day-to-day life to look like. From there, we can narrow down communities based on budget, commute, lifestyle and priorities before focusing on individual homes.

I've helped buyers relocate to Minnesota from other states, including clients who needed to make decisions remotely. My goal is to help you understand the differences between communities so you can make an informed decision about where you want to live.